The Dream Dies
by mlmintampa on Dec 5, 2009 8:05 PM EST
in Florida Football
Email
PrintI was 11 when Tommie Frazier ran over Florida hearts, so Mark Ingram's 190 yards of offense and three touchdowns are the worst thing that has happened in my life as a Gator. Tonight's 32-13 loss by Florida to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game is the worst loss in Florida's history. Not because it's a blowout, or because Tim Tebow cried (Goddamn I did not want to see that), but because Florida's only accomplishment this season was a division title.
There is no one to blame for today. When you play in a Championship Game, sometimes the other guy will just hit harder, get every bounce and call, and win. You can make the case for a lack of focus (Carlos Dunlap's mistake, the poor tackling, dropped passes), but these are 18-22 year olds. You can never expect a college athlete to be perfect. And that is perfect in the sense of actions, not record.
I feel sorry tonight for all the little boys and girls with number 15 jerseys, who are asking their parents why Florida lost today. It is a hard thing to watch your hero not come through. Tebow is still the best player in Florida history, Brandon Spikes is still the best linebacker, and Joe Haden is still a future pro. This was one night and it will hurt for a while. But it is still one night of many. In the eternal history of Florida Football, there will be epic wins and epic losses. There will be seasons that end with crystal balls, Outback steaks and coal. There are as many blades of grass on Florida Field as there have been days of Florida Football. Not all of those days will be good.
In the Spring, life will begin again with John Brantley. As for now, it all sucks. But the Dream will begin another day.
75 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Nice article
All season long, we have seen Florida on verge of a melt down, but the defense always seemed to pick up the slack. Well tonight the defense asked the offense to pick up the slack, and they just couldnt do it. So 12-0 season down the drain. Do you really blame Tebow for crying? This game does not tell the tale of this team, this team exposed all of thier flaws at the worst possible time. Dropped passes, Penalties at key moments, Missed coverages, broken tackles, bad throws. Some of these flaws peeked thier heads out at us during the regular season, but they all came out in tonights game. Alabama on the other hand had no flaws, they played a perfect game, perfect play calling, I guess thats what champions do in championship games.
5-10 years from now i’ll look back at the Tebow regime, and I’ll remember how great they were, hopefully not this one blow out.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
12-0 season down the drain?
Seriously, with an attitude like that, maybe Florida should just pass up the BCS game they are going to. Just wait until next season before you play again. Let the teams that want to be there go to their bowls, since you can’t be bothered to play in anything but the MNC.
This is why Florida isn’t liked very much anywhere else in the country.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think all UF fans think this way, but enough of them voice this opinion that it’s hard to overlook.
Humility my friend.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Dec 15, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Tonight's game
The only thing that would have made the game better would have been for Saban to call his two remaining time outs during those last ten seconds when the Gators were crying to get off the field. I was begging for him to do that just so the Tide could “enjoy the moment.”
Go play in traffic, moron.
Honestly, who the hell comes to a website of another team just to say that? Do SBNation sites have a banning feature?
by Giant Catfish on Dec 5, 2009 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
I guess if I my name was "Gordon" I'd be a little sore too
Oh, and the reason Saben didn’t call those timeouts is because he’s got to play the Gators again next season.
no need to be a dick....
we won…they lost…don’t make us look bad
"The goal is to be a champion," Saban said. "I didn’t say to win a championship. I just said be a champion. That’s our goal here. That’s what we want to do."- Nick Saban
ahhh no need to step in Bammer
that jackass surely does not represent your fanbase in any respect. As is typical, all the Bama fans I encountered at the Dome today were as classy as always. Best of luck in the Championship Game. The better team definitely won today.
All the Bammers I encountered on the web or in person
were all polite beyond reproach. Congrats, and thank you for winning with class. Other than this guy, obviously.
by Giant Catfish on Dec 5, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
Same goes for the FL fans
I met these past two years. By far two of the classiest teams and fan bases in the nation.
Roll Tide! And see you guys next year. Same place. Same time.
Good luck in the NCG and congrats
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
I think what Gordon was referring to....
was what we did to Georgia a couple of years ago. A lot of people around the league were surprised by that.
He could even be an Uga.....
…..who has been waiting 14 months for Florida to lose so he could drop a zinger.
I don’t know about them Gators catching any calls.
Timmy got a break on the fumble/incompletion call, to be perfectly honest.
Florida got outplayed on pretty much every snap.
At least they’ll have the weight off their shoulders, now, to prepare and to hand Cincy or TCU such a beatdown they will slack off so they never have to play a real team again.
yeah - we really caught a break there.....
Alabama played a perfect game today. I haven’t looked at the stats – but I believe they had 1 penalty for 5 yards total. At least that is all I recall.
I hope I am wrong but I predict a sugarb Bowl loss ala Bama last season. It’s hard to get up for Cincy after today’s beat down.
BTW, I am not sure what happened with Spikes today, but to be honest – he sucked. I am not sure he even made a single tackle…..Joe Haden might be the only defender who came to play. That’s why he is my favorite Gator.
Yea
Atleast we can be proud of Joe Haden, Julio Jones only had 2 catches. He was shut down.
To bad Jenkins was terrible, and gave up a huge play.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
we really used him as a decoy...
He was also doubled almost the entire night….
"The goal is to be a champion," Saban said. "I didn’t say to win a championship. I just said be a champion. That’s our goal here. That’s what we want to do."- Nick Saban
Thanks for trying to take away the only bright spot of the game for us.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
jenkins was probably at the same party with dumblap and drove home a different way
he played much better as a true freshman than he has this season
agreed soooooooo much he needs to change back to 29 cuz that 1 on his chest got to his head and his head has been up his ass all year.
by gatorempire127 on Dec 6, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Say it ain't so...
Hopefully you guys will learn by our example last year (against Utah) and beat the Bearcats into the ground.
"So I want everybody to think here for a second, how much does this game mean to you? 'Cause if it means something to you, you can't stand still. You understand? You play fast! You play strong! You go out there and dominate the man you're playing against, and you make his ass quit! That's our trademark! That's our M.O.... as a team! That's what people know us as!" - Coach Nick Saban before the 2008 LSU game.
by 12NationalChampionships on Dec 7, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
Keep the heads high, Gators.
I am a Vols fan. While I do not particularly lament the outcome of the game, I will stand and note the skill of Tebow. You have had the opportunity to see something special out of a player that defines your program. We had Peyton Manning. You have obviously had yours. As much as I’d like to refute that, I can’t. Tebow is a class act. I can’t believe I just said that, but there it is. You all have had an epic run. Remember those times. Who knows…they may continue. But, instead of lamenting this loss, celebrate what you’ve had. I look forward to our game in Knoxville. You all have had a stellar season. if it were up to me you would replay Bama in the National Championship. Good form, gentlemen.
To Strive, To Seek, To Find, and Not to Yield.
thanks mike2ray i really appreciate those kind words, especially from a vol fan.
this really was a great run and an awesome 4 years with timmy, brandon, joe, and the rest of the gang. i believe when a 12-0 regular season, even with a loss today, doesn’t meet your expectations, well, your expectations may be set a little above where they should be.
bama suffered for 365 long days hearing about how flawda dominated them in the fourth qtr of last years seccg. that in itself would be enough for me to want to open a can of woopas—-on somebody. let alone the natural competitive drive to win championships and be the best.
flawda players and coaches heard all year how great they were, and they “bought in” to those lies. our gators were made fat by their own past successes and lost the hunger, and the edge that carried them to last years championships. (2007 all over again)
it was plain to see that bama had superior focus, superior intensity, and were driven by revenge from last years defeat…….great game bama, but i would like to see you guys come out with the same kind of focus and intensity vs texas in the bcscg. i watched texas struggle with the huskers tonight and i hope bama doesn’t take them too lightly.
by pLANEolG8RB8 on Dec 6, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
Cincy? TCU?
What the hell ever. I probably won’t even watch, win or lose. What an absolutely deflating way to end a strange, spineless season. Frankly, I am not proud of this team, not of the way they played, not in the way they fought, and certainly not in the way they were coached.
More than any other feeling, I have a sense of relief. This day was coming, I just didn’t know if it was today or in January. It’s nice to just get it out of the way, say goodbye to a group of seniors and juniors who accomplished a lot, but never endeared themselves to the fanbase nearly as much as 2006, or Spurrier’s teams. The eye gouging, the drunk driving, the listless performances, the lifeless effort in some games…this team was going through the motions more than anything else. I am not sad to see them go, to be truthful.
Fire Addazio, and best of luck to Charlie. I wish you weren’t thinking of Louisville home prices all game, but you had a great run here, so you get a pass.
Tebow…I don’t know what to say. You saved this teams’ ass more times than I care to remember, and you can’t be blamed for this loss. Still, it wasn’t a great year for him. I’m not sure what to do with him in the pantheon just yet. Instead of greatest Gator ever, he might have to take a more equal footing with Danny etc. This requires more thought.
Haden, good luck to you. Dunlap, thanks a ****ing lot, idiot. Hernandez/Cooper, thanks.
As for next year, we need so many players to step up. At this absurdly early date, I’ll go with 9-3 and…well, hell, first in the East. Man this division sucks right now.
No tree.
I’ve felt this way since the Arkansas game. Both about their chances at an NC, and their attitude.
by Giant Catfish on Dec 5, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
Have to agree with GC here
I think the weight of expectations just ate this team up, from the head coach, the assistants, right on down to the players, and as a result the product on the field (on the offensive side of the ball all season long, and certainly on D tonight) was a hyper-conservative, joyless morass of missed chances and half-assed performances. The Dunlap deal was just kind of icing on the cake, and I can’t say I wasn’t at least half-expecting tonight’s result. If you look at the season as a whole, there’s a definite narrative arc there that follows from the Tennessee game, when we all said “wait a minute…”
The fact that Rainey and Demps had 3 carries tonight is in itself a fireable offense for Addazio. If he’s calling the plays next year there’s no way in hell we go 9-3.
I’d like to win the Sugar Bowl. Even though it’s kind of a no-win situation, losing to TCU or Cincy would be embarrassing.
Exactly.
The record is outstanding, of course, but did anyone, at any time, feel like they did in 2008? I never did. It’s not that I expect blowouts in every game, it’s that I expect them to play to their potential. I don’t think this team ever did. They struggled against teams with vastly inferior players, never really played a great team until tonight, and got absolutely blasted. They managed to get up for UGA, FSU, and LSU, but otherwise they just sat in first gear, too scared to go for anything.
Even 2006, which had more close games, was not this listless. That team had serious talent deficiencies in areas, and frankly had no business near an NC trophy. But they played with heart, and the coaches tore their opponents up every game. This year, almost the exact opposite. Teams who don’t have a single UF-caliber player hung with us. Teams with middling talent hung with us. A team with equal talent beat us down.
You can make excuses for a game, or even a couple games of this morass (good word, wangal) but an entire season falls squarely on the coaches. I blame Meyer more than others, because he is supposed to be in charge of the others. If Addazio ruined this season, which he probably did, then it’s Meyer’s fault for placing such an incompetent in a place where he could waste such an incredible collection of talent.
I’m not a big bowl game guy, and in fact I haven’t even watched a non-NC UF bowl game in years, and Cincy (if Neb doesn’t pull the unthinkable and send them to the NC) doesn’t exactly excite me. Especially because they won’t have a coach.
by Giant Catfish on Dec 5, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
I just don't want a repeat of 2008 SEC losers...
Going to a BCS bowl and losing by double digits, mainly because we will be distracted after being so close…..Yet so far away….. Alabama, Go kick Texas Longhorn ass. Prove that the SEC is the best conference in the nation.
If the two teams play anywhere like they did tonight
Alabama is going to absolutely mop the floor with the horns. Jesus, is the big 12 only allowed to have 1 team a year play offense and defense? The key will be to maintain whatever attitude the bammers had going into the game tonight.
Well, if UF's experience in NC games the last few years is any indication,
there’s not always a lot of correlation between the regular season and the bowl game. Ohio State looked like world-beaters against a shaky 2006 Gator team which blew them off the field, and 2008 Oklahoma was the most prolific offense in CFB history and we shut them down. So I wouldn’t read too much into a couple of very emotional conference championship games.
I think Bama-Texas will be a very good game, and I’ll be interested to see how Colt McCoy fares against Saban’s D.
yeah, but...
the two teams the horns faced with competent defenses held them to 16 and 13 points. And there is a pretty strong correlation between defensive performance and bcs titles, and we were held over 20 points below our season avg tonight.
I hear you, and maybe I'm just hoping out loud,
but I put only limited faith in past performance as a predictor of future results. By all indications, we were pretty evenly matched with Bama but their superior preparation and emotion (and some unbelievably F-ing stupid playcalling when we were on offense) led to us getting our asses handed to us. The college game is much less predictable than, say, the NFL. In a big game, crazy stuff happens as often as not.
when demps dropped the pass on our opening drive i knew we were not ready to play
we left 14 points off the score board in the first half. our intensity level was less than normal and bamas was off the charts, revenge is a hard thing to deal with. the coaches were not dropping passes, missing open receivers, and throwing any interceptions……….they most certainly had something to do with the intensity level though, and i am not surprised that our intensity level was down with yet another distraction (dumblap). watch the game again gator fans, we had receivers open all night that we did not throw to, we hit open recievers in the hands and they dropped the passes. our problem tonight wasn’t play calling, it was play making.
by pLANEolG8RB8 on Dec 6, 2009 12:53 AM EST up reply actions
Really?
We have one of the most prolific running attacks in the country all season and we give Rainey 2 carries, Demps 1, and Moody none? I really don’t understand why you’d not at least TRY to establish the run, especially when you were down by no more than two TDs for three quarters?
by wangalusa on Dec 6, 2009 1:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Didnt expect a blow out.
Seeing Tim cry was one of the worst sights i think i’ve ever seen and it pretty much made me cry too. Congrats to Bama, throughout the game i was down in the dumps for obvious reasons, but after you guys kneeled it at the end instead of putting up 500 yards against us, i couldnt be mad anymore. Plus that Texas game is hopefully a clue the crystal ball will stay in the SEC. Ill be pullin for Bama, not that Tebow hating queer McCoy. Bama seriously came with a flame thrower on full blast under their asses, while Florida had their heads up theirs. The better team won and won convincingly. never thought i would say it but…for God sakes Roll Tide Roll them Horns.
on another quick note.
Texas didnt deserve that win. Not one bit. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY win. Not to be a bad fan, but all luck on that drive.
A heartfelt congradulations...
to all of you, the Gator Nation, on not only a great season, but for establishing yourselves, over the past decade or so, as one of the elite programs in college football.
The gator fans I’ve met have been, for the most part, extremely classy, and able to act like they’ve been there before when their team wins.
The gator players, for the most part, have fought hard and represented their school with class and pride and heart.
I know that tonight wasn’t the outcome you all wanted. I felt the same way last year when the situation was reversed…but this is nothing more than a bump in the road for Florida. You will continue to be great, and our programs continue to rise and challenge each other and play some of the damn finest football anyone’s ever seen.
This Bama fan tips his houndstooth hat to the Gator Nation, hope to see Florida chew someone up and spit them out in the Sugar Bowl…and I have a feeling we’ll see each other in the SEC Championship game next year, too ;)
Roll Tide!
"You have to create six seconds of hell, every time the ball is snapped..."
-Nick Saban
It hurts so bad because...
We made a mountain of victories and fell off the top. High falls hurt more. I too expected this all year
The reason the defense was so bad is because of the OFFENSE. Charlie Strong called a great game but the defense was just worn out. They were on the field most of the game and shorthanded from injuries and bonehead players .
Dunlap- is only the one that got caught, bet the whole defense was at “the gathering” . But a 20 year old kid will be a 20 year old kid, happens all over college football. Bad mistake – yes, Bad person – no. Get off him. The DUI has cost him dearly in the NFL draft, he knows what he did to his team, and HE has to live with it. Imagine being in his shoes.
All year long we have relied on defense and special teams. Offense has been pitiful and that is between the coordinator and head coach. Both need to realize " it takes all 3 phases of the game to be champions". Sound familiar? It should , those are Urban’s words to preach about the importance of special teams. Yet all year we have had the most talent of any NCAA team on offense and squandered it badly. I could almost tell you our next play all season long, no imagination , no variations, and all those superstar players with the ball only going to 2-3 90% of the time. The coaches need to get off their own “kool-aid” , wake up and right the ship. Ark. and Miss St. showed us that and Spurrier nearly made us pay. Think of 1 changed play in each of those games. None of those teams had the talent Alabama has.
Urban Meyer is a great coach, Addazio is a big question mark. Both are at fault here. You show up with 2/3 of a team and a good opponent will make you pay the price. I don’t claim to know the fix for the offense – that is a coaches job- but everyone could see the problem all year long. Tebow and the other seniors played their hearts out all year and I am thankful to them. Bama played an awesome game and no one can take that away. If we showed up with an offense this game would have been much different. Not saying we would win (I think we would ) but certainly a better game that was competitive. Meyer has GOT to do something with this offense.
I'll have to disagree here
Charlie Strong called a great game
On the very first play of the game – Julio Jones – the best receiver on the field, was left entirely uncovered and caught and easy pass for a big gain. From square one – Bama pushed us all over the field and moved at will. I truly believe that Bama could have scored 50 if they wanted to instead of just running the clock in the 2nd half.
This was a 6 point game at the half (although we were very fortunate that it was still that close)and then Bama exploded in the 2nd half. Saban and his staff made adjustments at the half, and Urban and his staff did not. The better team won last night, but the coaching effort might have been even more lopsided than the play on the field.
Strong was great all year, but it appeared he was less than 100% focused on this game. Adazzio was terrible all year, so his ineptitude shouldn’t have surprised anyone. I don’t think we should necessarily fire him, but a return to his natural OL coaching position is needed. He is in way over his head as OC.
our "D" was on the field because they couldn't stop bama!!!!
when we did stop bama we hit the QB late, or held their TE, or were called for off-sides!!!!!. for a mature, senior laden team, we played with no desire, toughness, or discipline.
this same bunch of crybaby fans whined the entire season about us running the dive play. well, you got your wish!!!! so stop pissin’ and moanin’ cause we threw the ball around the yard vs bama. if our boys would have caught all the dropped balls and timmy would have thrown to the open receivers that we had running open all over the field for the entire game, and would have converted on the intercepted TD pass, you same people would be crowing about what a great game plan we had against bama. some times in life you get your as_ whipped by teams who are just as atheletic, who have more desire and want to win enough to discipline themselves to play smart.
face it, bama was ready to play and florida was not ready to play. this statement is inclusive for players and coaches alike.
take the as_ whippin’ and go to the house!!! we will have better days. GO GATORS
You really need to take a step back here.
No one this season has been calling for us to abandon the run completely, like we did last night. What we have been agitating for is a more balanced attack, mixing up the play-calls, not suddenly thinking we need to throw every single down.
I think you’re absolutely right about us not being ready to play, though, and that’s the most maddening thing about it.
This same bunch of crybabies.....???
With a mind that narrow no wonder comments like this come out. The offense stunk it up in Atlanta. Played the same as all year except this time against an Equal team and 13 whole points. Point is simply that nothing was done all year to fix the offense. Nothing was done at halftime to fix this offense. Passing that much with this running team was a bad mistake. Second half the defense just quit, you saw it same as i did, or have you ever even played? They will do that when they see the offense quit. We were in a shootout against an equal team with NO offense of our own. Coaching is to blame. These are the the same starters from last year, THE SAME, remember the blowouts?And it’s been OK all year to play like crap because it’s TOUGH to win??
I do agree
that the offense’s ineptitude and refusal to run the football contributed to the huge difference in TOP, and that the defense was more tired and demoralized as a result, but we just had no answer for what Bama was running, which with a few exceptions is what they’ve run all year long. To say that Strong called a great game last night is kind of ridiculous. If you call a great game you don’t get 500 yards rolled up on you. The offense didn’t help, but Strong and our D, for whatever reason, laid a HUGE egg last night, the worst I can remember since the ’95 Fiesta Bowl.
I think what’s most frustrating about this season (and last night’s game) is that there were glaring, obvious problems all along and it seemed like the coaching staff was too stubborn or clueless to do anything about them.
Well now our Gov has to give alabama's governor oranges
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
Plays
Right from the moment when I saw Bama go with the Spread, I knew they had things up their sleeve… I was just hoping we would have them too..
The defense was way too aggressive and paid the price..but blame it all on coaching…it was like watching a NFL team v/s College Football team in discipline.. It was not like Bama had things going their way all along but for this game, they were just superbly coached…I guess Bama started preparing for this game with all their schemes and plans a year ago and we started doing it last week.
Anyways, amazing play Bama. Kick Texas in the butt!
Florida has nothing to be ashamed of
First, it’s hard to win a national championship, and the fact that you guys have won two in the previous three years and had the chance to win a third in four years is amazing. You won 22 consecutive games with a bullseye on your back.
Secondly, to beat you guys yesterday, we had to play at a supernatural level. Anything less would not have gotten the job done because of your team’s talent level.
The 2009 Florida Gators are probably the best opponent an Alabama team has EVER beaten. I wouldn’t want a rematch because it would be hard to capture lightening twice. Not to take anything away from my Alma Mater, but beating you guys yesterday took everything and then some.
Good luck in the Sugar Bowl. Win it for your 13th victory, and show the world how great of a team you guys really are.
MATRIX: Bennett, I thought you were--
BENNETT: Dead? You thought wrong. Ever since you had me thrown out of the unit, I've been waiting to pay you back. Do you know what today is, Matrix? Payday.
Your comments are appreciated,
but I for one think our failure to compete yesterday, to not at least make a game of it, is more than a little embarrassing. Shameful is too strong a word, but it’s pretty close.
I just can’t understand how we could not even show up for that game, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It’s shaken my faith in Meyer as a coach.
But you’re right, Bama absolutely played at a supernatural level yesterday. Damn.
Thanks for confirming what I thought
I watched Bama several time all season, I knew how talented they were.But man did they want to win that one, they played lights out.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
Bama over Texas
to me is not a forgone conclusion. Bama looked very beatable numerous times this year. It is clear to me that last night Bama took one year of pent up rage and focused liked a laser beam on playing the best game of their collective lives. While Texas went into their game hoping to just get out of dodge. Both teams played under very different expectations. Bama was a healthy underdog and Texas was supposed to roll over Nebraska and their QB was asked all week if a great game would cement the Heisman. Now, when they meet in the NC game, whole different story.
Bama has proved it can lay eggs in big games (see Utah), while Texas is 3-0 in BCs games and they love to be dogs. It will be better than people think and I could see Texas winning.
As for Florida, I hope they get Boise and kick the shit out of them. But, I fear they will get Cinncy and win modestly.
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
I agree that it is not a foregone conclusion
I disagree that this will be anything like last year’s Utah game. Yes, we were heavily favored going into that game. The problem, we didn’t want to be there, we had just had our hearts ripped out by UF. I honestly hope UF does not follow that same pattern. We also have some motivation besides winning the NC, we are 0-7-1 all time vs Texas. I am quite sure Saban will point this out to our team. I expect you to see a whole different team come out for the BCSNCG than you saw in last year’s Sugar Bowl. That is not to say that some bounces will not go against us and football is a crazy game. I do not think BAMA will come out flat though like they did in NO last year.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
I don't think they will come out flat either
but Texas definitely came out flat. That’s all. And, as crazy as this sounds, this Florida win was like a National Championship game. It reminds me of the 1981 Kansas City Royals. They had lost to the Yankees in like five straight years in the playoffs and it had become clear that any great success went through them. In 1981 the Royals were easily the best team in baseball and they destroyed the Yankees in the playoffs and everyone assumed they would just glide through the World Series against Philly who struggled to beat Houston in the playoffs. Well, we know what happened. There are other examples too of a team pouring so much of its focus on one game and then everything around that game is hard to get up for.
We’ll see. But, Texas is will have very little expected of them and Bama will be under much pressure to duplicate this game. They might, but these are kids…
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
I think it'll be a close game, too
but I expect Bama to prove too much in the end for the Horns.
There’s an awful lot of time to prepare and let the emotions of this weekend simmer down. At a neutral site, with comparable talent, this will be a fight.
I’ll be interested to see what Muschamp comes up with against the Tide.
The SEC is the road to the national championship
win the SEC and the NC is only a mindset, you’ve already beaten the toughest teams in football.
Good luck BAMA
Congrats on an incedible run
When you can run up 22 straight games, playing in the SEC, that is an accomplishment to be applauded. You just ran into a team with about the same talent level, as good a coaching staff and who was hungrier. It is hard to sustain the hunger when you have been dominant for awhile. For all those that are bashing Tebow for crying, they need to lay off. He has a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders. From his fanbase, team and himself. He was carrying the weight of finally delivering the “Perfect Season”. He has given everything he has to UF and he felt like he let UF down. I don’t think he has. He was a special player and I hope he gets to go out on a good note in the Sugar Bowl and UF does not come into that game like BAMA did last year. Our team did not want to be there. I could understand if UF felt the same way but I would prefer if you spank Cinci/TCU. As long as Meyer and Saban stay put, this should be an almost yearly match up in the title game.
ROLL TIDE and Go Gators.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
thank you bamachine
you are right on the money here with your comments, now go win one for the SEC and make us all look good.
texas will be ready to play and they are hungry too so do not take them lightly.
GO GATORS and Roll Tide
The SEC owns that chrystal ball man its not going anywhere.
As for the Sugar bowl, I think if we play Boise, it will be a modest win. They have an offense that will put numbers up against anyone no matter who they play they’ll move the ball. Move it enough and efficiently to beat Florida? I dont think so, mama.
If we play Cincy, then i think we just blow them out of the water, given that they most likely wont have a large fan base and they’ve never heard how loud us Gators are, that’ll hurt them on offense and get them disoriented. Plus they way their defense played against Pitt, they’re gonna have problems stopping Jeffy and Chrisy and Timmy and the rest of the gang. It will be “mama there goes that man” all game long.
I agree with that assessment
Although I think Boise will be less of a threat than you think. Now TCU is another animal. UF will have the better athletes and team but TCU is disciplined on both O and D. I would not underestimate TCU. We did the same with Utah last year and got whipped in a game we should have won. Beat whoever you play. I hope it is TCU because that will ultimately be a more impressive win for the SEC.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
And i agree with that.
TCU is a scary team, theyre alot like Bama on defense in that they just shut everything down. Im very sure we will beat who ever we get. Timothy is not going to lose this one, he will not allow a loss. No way in Hell.
by gatorempire127 on Dec 6, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
Well, it is set, now go take down the Big Least Champ
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
Beat the piss out of Cincinnati
It’s Urban’s Alma Mater and he had a disappointing career as a player there. If that isn’t enough to motivate him, nothing will.
Go Gators.
MATRIX: Bennett, I thought you were--
BENNETT: Dead? You thought wrong. Ever since you had me thrown out of the unit, I've been waiting to pay you back. Do you know what today is, Matrix? Payday.
Theres Destruction afoot.
Look heres my theory.— Cincinnati is dead, no nds ifs or buts about it. They’re getting to play Florida at the wrongest (idk if thats a word probly isnt) time possible. Florida is going to do anything and everything to prove to the country that they still are The Florida Gators.
The worst part about it, They have the privlidge to try and stop a very, very pissed off Tim Tebow and co., and he is not going to be stopped unless the entire team is dragging behind him.
Looks like this little Bearcat is getting too close to the water here fellas, and theres a pair of eyes poppin out of the water lookin for a good time.
Is anyone also considering...
the impact on Cincy of Brian Kelly’s pursuit of the Notre Dame job? I know that rumors of Dennis Franchione leaving Alabama for Texas A&M before the Auburn game in 2002 distracted the coaching staff and the team. I think there’s a good chance Cincinnati could be adversely affected by Kelly leaving, or planning to leave, or even talking about it.
"So I want everybody to think here for a second, how much does this game mean to you? 'Cause if it means something to you, you can't stand still. You understand? You play fast! You play strong! You go out there and dominate the man you're playing against, and you make his ass quit! That's our trademark! That's our M.O.... as a team! That's what people know us as!" - Coach Nick Saban before the 2008 LSU game.
by 12NationalChampionships on Dec 8, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Wow. Really? You went there?
“I feel sorry tonight for all the little boys and girls with number 15 jerseys, who are asking their parents why Florida lost today.”
I just… wow… I don’t have words.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Dec 15, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
SHOP THE ALLIGATOR ARMY STORE
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
